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Ariana appeared, and Elizabeth joined them a minute later. Wren eyed the bags in his hand as he looked around for the best place to set up his training exercises.
“I have a gift for each of you.” He handed them each a package.
Ariana took out the two canisters. “What is this, breath or air freshener?”
“No! It’s pepper spray. Put the one with a ring on your key chain and keep the second within reach in your car, just in case.”
“I carry a Taser in my purse,” Wren said.
“That’s fine.” And didn’t surprise him. “I’m going to share some self-defense tactics.” He taped a paper target to a tree trunk, then demonstrated the proper technique to hold and dispense the pepper spray.
He let each of the women take a turn aiming at the target from about five feet away. With no breeze, even in the open air, the brief squirt was enough to make them cough as their throats burned and eyes stung.
He moved them to an area with fresher air and taped a new target to a different tree to try again at twice the distance. “Remember, aim at their eyes and mouth. It’s harder to hit the further away you get, so spray back and forth. As you can tell, a little taste should encourage them not to get closer.”
After they each took another turn, he tucked the pepper spray in his pants pocket. “It’s fairly easy to hit a stationary target, but someone coming at you can be a different story. So, this time, you’re going to target me.”
“With pepper spray?” Elizabeth protested.
“No, not with the pepper spray. I don’t want to cry in front of you ladies. Besides, they were out of the mint flavor.”
“Mint?” Elizabeth repeated before rolling her eyes.
“We’ll use this.” He produced a can of Silly String and handed it to Ariana first.
“So, we won’t get to Taser you either?” Wren asked.
“Not today. Go for the eyes and mouth.” He jogged back about ten yards, then spun to face them. “Pretend I’m J.R.” He didn’t give Ariana a countdown before he charged toward her. Before she could spray him, he reached her and knocked the can from her hand.
“Dammit.” She cowered as he loomed over her.
“J.R.—or any bad guy—is not going to give you time to get prepared. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and be prepared to act. I also recommend that you have a coworker walk you to your car after work. Look under the car as you approach and check the back seat before getting in. J.R. already knows where you live, but it’s still a good idea to change up your route and not stop in isolated or dark areas. Let’s try this again.”
This time, Ariana hit him in the ear and shoulder with the Silly String. “Better. We’ll let Wren and Elizabeth have a turn, then you can try again.”
After depleting the can of Silly String, he moved to phase two, motioning for Elizabeth to stand in front of him.
“Our next lesson is what to do in the event someone gets too close. Grab my wrist.” He held out his arm, then let out a high-pitched shriek in Elizabeth’s face a second after she took hold.
She released him and reared back. Ariana and Wren both laughed. John grinned back at Elizabeth’s sheepish smile.
“It’s simple, but it works. They don’t expect it. They let go. You run.”
“After we kick him in the groin,” Wren stated.
“Better to just run. Put as much distance between you and the perp as possible. If they’re high or drunk, they have a higher threshold for pain. Without a solid strike, you may just piss them the hell off.”
“That could apply to J.R.,” Ariana mumbled.
“If yelling doesn’t get them to release you or summon help, you need another way to get free.” He took hold of Elizabeth’s wrist.
Without hesitating, she pulled free.
“Perfect,” he said, though she looked shocked at his proclamation. “The thumb is the weak point. If you pull in the direction of their thumb, you’re most likely to break free. However, if he gets you in a choke hold . . .” He took a step toward Elizabeth and raised his arms.
Her eyes widened, and she stepped back.
“Wouldn’t it be better for Ariana to practice this since she’s most at risk?” Elizabeth deflected breathlessly.
